Bellator fighters seeing perks even ahead of promotion's switch from MTV2 to Spike

Bellator Fighting Championships' move from one Viacom-owned cable platform to a more high-profile network brings with it perks for the promotion when it comes to visibility.

But as Bellator's fighters quickly are finding out, there are perks for them, too – even before their fights move from MTV2 to Spike.

Champions Michael Chandler and Pat Curran, as well as middleweight fighter Brian Rogers, last week got more than red-carpet treatment – they were part of the red carpet.

The three fighters – Chandler and Curran with their title belts in tow – this past Thursday walked the red carpet for MTV's annual Video Music Awards show, which took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles with a broadcast on MTV. Bellator's events have aired on MTV2 since its fourth season, starting in March 2011.

In January, Bellator will make the move from MTV2 to Spike TV. Before the switch even is made, it seems all sides of the equation are embracing the opportunity to spread the Bellator word around beyond mere MMA circles.